Hygienic dental package



Dec. 2.5, 1956 E. c. oxl-:NRlDER HYGIENIC DENTAL PACKAGE Filed June 13, 1955 2f 20 f5 j@ (irl .f Lanham/RAR@ United States Patent O "ice HYGIENIC DENTAL PACKAGE Ellis C. Oxenrider, Chicago, Ill.

Application June 13, 1955, Serial No. 514,887

` 1 Claim. (Cl. 132-84) This invention relates to a hygienic package, and more particularly to a complete prophylaxis dental package which may be conveniently carried ina pocket or purse.

Proper care rof the teeth requires that they be frequently brushed, and that they be brushed particularly after meals. However, such care of `the teeth cannot be taken by most people when 4they are away from home, since they ordinarily do not carry the necessary accessories for the cleaning of their teeth.

Also, those individuals who do trouble to carry a toothbrush nd that it is easily lost or misplaced and, more often than not, that it is contaminated by the accumulation of dirt and other particles in the pocket or purse wherein it is held. Moreover, even if a person does carry a toothbrush, he very seldom also troubles to carry a tooth cleanser, `since `the containers `therefor are easily opened or broken and thus prone to empty their contents.

Accordingly, the purpose of thi-s invention is to provide a hygienic dental package which contains both toothbrush and tooth cleanser, and which may be conveniently retained in the pocket by a clip provided for such purpose, or which may be carried in a purse.

Another object of this invention is to provide a convenient easy-to-seal hygienic dental package which is c-ompact and sturdy in structure, and which is so constructed as to fully protect the contents `therein from contamination and damage.

And still another object of this invention is to provide a hygienic dental accessory compartment which is attractive to` -carry and which is easy and economical to manufacture.

These `and other objects of the invention are fully met by `a dental package comprising an elongated receptacle which is open at one Iend for receiving the handle of a toothbrush. A compartment is provided within the receptacle for holding `a package of tooth cleanser, with one wall of the compartment providing means for retaining the toothbrush handle in place. A snap-on cover is provided t-o fit over the receptacle open end vand the `tooth brush bristles, while small Ventilating openings are furnished in the receptacle and cover walls to permit fresh air to circulate around the bristles. A clip is provided adjacent the top of the cover for retaining the `dental package securely in a pocket or the like. It is obvious that the convenience and attractiveness of such -a package encourages care of the teeth yand proper dental hygiene.

The foregoing and other objects Iand features of construction are `described hereinafter in detail with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the invention with the cover in place;

Figure 2 is a view similar to that shown in Figure 1, with the cover removed; iand i Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on lines 3-3 in Figure 1.

2,775,250 Patented Dec. 25, 1956 Referring to the drawings, the invention comprises Ian elongated metal receptacle 5 of rectangular cross-section. The receptacle has suicient width to accommodate the handle 6 of a toothbrush which, when inserted longitudinally through an open receptacle end 7, rests against -a receptacle end wall 8.

A rellable compartment 9 interiits between the recep- -tacle front and back Walls, 10 and 11 respectively, and adjacent to the other receptacle endwall 12, leaving 'a space 13 for the insertion of the toothbrush handle 6 within receptacle 5. An endwall 1-4 of compartment 9 provides means for retaining handle 6 upright within receptacle 5 while also restraining its movement and preventing rattling within the receptacle. Compartment '9 is adapted to hold a tooth cleanser, such as tooth powder or a tube of tooth paste 15. In order to provide a convenient means for removing compartment 9 from the receptacle 5, a portion 16 extends above the receptacle open end so that it may be grasped.

A metal cover 17, of similar cross-'section to that of receptacle 5, is provided to cover toothbrush bristles 18 and seal the open end 7 of receptacle 5. Cover 17, when fitted in place, overlaps receptacle upper portion 19. 'Embossments 20-20 are provided on both cover front and back Walls, 21 `and 22 respectively, for engaging cooperating indentations 23-23 in receptacle front and back walls, 10 and 11, and retaining cover 17 securely on receptacle 5.

A clip 24 is fixed to back wall 22 for retaining the entire hygienic dental package assembly `in a pocket. In order to permit bristles 18 to dry, the walls of receptacle 5 and cover 17 are perforated with air-holes 25 which enable fresh air to circulate within the dental package.

It is obvious that other dental. cleansing accessories, such as dental floss, may also be held within the package, and that the invention is not restricted to the illustrated and described embodiment. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the following claim.

I claim:

A hygienic dental package comprising an elongated thin walled casing, rectangular in cross-section, closed at one end, and open at the other; a dentifrice compartment held Within said casing, substantially rectangular in crosssection, and having its dispensing end adjacent the open compartment end and extending slightly thereabove; a passage in said casing, formed between an endwall of said casing and an endwall of said compartment; a toothbrush having its handle inserted in said passage with its bristles positioned above said compartment; a cover, rectangular in cross-section and adapted -to fit over the 1open end of said casing and cover said compartment and said bristles; embossments on the inner front and rear walls of said cover; indentations in the outer front and rear walls of said casing for matingly receiving said embossments and releasably retaining said cover on the casing, Isaid indentations further providing on the casing inner front and rear walls bosses engageable with the walls of said compartment for releasably seating said compartment within said casing; Ventilating `air-holes in the walls of said casing and said cover; and a clip on the cover outer wall for retaining the package in a pocket or the like.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 674,499 Eaton s- May 21, 1901 2,180,226 Eaton Nov. 14, 1939 2,439,429 Hofmann Apr. 13, 194s FOREIGN PATENTS 674,499 Great Britain Aug. 12, 1903` 149,837 Great Britain Aug. 26, 1920 

